New Appointments Further Strengthen UK Sport Board

Published 30 November 2005

Recent changes to the Board of UK Sport have ensured that it is now in an excellent position to determine the organisation’s strategic direction and delivery over the coming years, as it seeks to ensure that the opportunities presented by Beijing and in particular London 2012 are maximised.

In addition to its Chair Sue Campbell, and the four Chairs of the Home Country Sports Councils, the Board now has four expert Individual Members whose appointment by Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, is confirmed for the next three years:

Rod Carr OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Yachting Association and the man behind our most successful Olympic sport in modern times, has more than 20 years of direct Olympic experience

Chris Holmes MBE, a lawyer and Commissioner for the Disability Rights Commission, is our most successful ever Paralympic swimmer, with nine gold medals

Nick Bitel, Chief Executive of the London Marathon and respected sports and media lawyer, has served on the Board since 2002 and has been reappointed

Louise Martin, former international swimmer, pre-eminent nutritionist and Chairman of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Council, has also served since 2002 and has been reappointed.

Following three years of dedicated service to the UK Board, Connie St Louis and Laura McAllister have left following the end of their term in November 2005. One further Individual Member place is still available and will be subject to public advertisement in due course.

Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport, says of the new Board:

"I am thrilled by the profile and calibre of the people now guiding UK Sport over the next three years. Coupled with the experience and knowledge of our Home Country Chairs, the expertise of the new Individual Members will ensure we respond in a highly effective manner to the many challenges and opportunities brought about by 2012.

"I would like to place on record my gratitude to Connie and Laura for their three years of fantastic service. They have made a significant contribution to the Board and I wish them well for the future."